"Hod, did you see Yesod and the others on your way here? The meeting is about to start."
X checked the time again, confirming that the Information and Safety Department Deans were late. The priority wasn't reprimanding them, but finding out their whereabouts.
The Training Department is next to the Information Department; logically, Hod should have seen Yesod…
The Department layout is hierarchical; the lowest level, closest to the ground floor, is the Control Department. Below is the Information Department, the second core level, extending to both sides.
To the left of the Information Department is the Safety Department, and to the right is the Training Department; the upper departments are arranged like an inverted Kabbalah Tree of Life, or Qliphoth Tree of Life.
"Sorry, I don't know. Manager, I didn't see Yesod in her office when I arrived, so…I assumed she was already here."
Hod looked apologetic; she probably hadn't looked closely. Assuming Yesod, known for her punctuality, would be on time, Hod didn't think much of it.
This shows trust in Yesod; her meticulous image is well-regarded by both employees and other Deans.
Although Yesod's sharp tongue was off-putting, she was the most dedicated worker; her efficiency was consistently the highest, and her casualty rate, the lowest.
Yesod spoke frankly, even if harshly…but sometimes, that's more effective than insincere platitudes and reassurances.
While she might be considered cold and heartless, X admired Yesod. Angela also seemed to respect Yesod, never teasing her like the others.
This implied that Yesod's work style aligned with the AI Secretary's ideals.
X recalled Yesod saying she envied Angela's coldness and heartlessness, that 'she was a true machine'. Whether it was praise or sarcasm, X felt it was both, fifty-fifty.
X wondered if Angela would care or feel uncomfortable hearing such things.
Regarding the Deans' opinions of Angela, X remained neutral.
She knew her AI Secretary, Angela, wasn't cold or heartless.
X had seen Angela smile; it was beautiful, gentle and soft like moonlight… not as dazzling as the sun, but equally captivating.
At least, X was drawn to it. To say she harbored no affection for her AI Secretary would be untrue; otherwise, why wouldn't she resist being constantly bullied?
Perhaps, subconsciously, she didn't want to resist…she enjoyed the experience.
Sometimes, X wondered—
Why didn't she smile more? Such a beautiful Secretary; it was a shame she didn't smile.
Why always maintain a stern expression and be harsh with the Deans?
X felt that if Angela softened her tone and smiled more, her relationships with the Deans would improve quickly.
No one dislikes a smile; a warm smile could quickly improve relationships.
No one dislikes a cheerful person; and cheerful people tend to be lucky…probably?
Angela must be a kind person, right?
Angela carefully adjusted her clothes, brushed her hair, and hugged her. Although it wasn't warm due to her physical limitations…an AI who did such things couldn't be cold and heartless.
But X didn't understand why the AI Secretary never showed her kind side to the Deans, always remaining cold and critical, undermining their confidence.
This had resulted in poor relationships.
But there were no reasons, no explanations. The AI Secretary simply stood silently before X, not interfering with the Managers and Deans.
She was more like an observer, attending the meeting only to monitor the Deans' and Manager's interactions.
But her mere presence exerted considerable pressure on the Deans.
"Angela, please sit down. I'll go find Netzach and Yesod; Yesod probably found Netzach passed out drunk somewhere."
X gestured for the Secretary to sit, then stood to find the absent Deans.
[No need, Manager. They have arrived.]
The AI Secretary, seemingly possessing precognitive abilities, spoke just as the meeting room door opened again.
X first saw a black-gloved hand pushing open the door—Yesod; only Yesod wore gloves.
"Sorry I'm late, Manager."
She spoke calmly, dragging what seemed like a large piece of trash. Due to the height difference, Yesod seemed unable to carry Netzach…or perhaps she simply didn't want to.
Dragging the large green 'debris' was her limit. Carrying it on her shoulder would have been disastrous and incredibly uncomfortable.
She'd likely need a new pair of gloves after the meeting.
In short, the Information Department Dean, Yesod, treated the Safety Department Dean, Netzach, like large garbage, dragging her in…or perhaps using her as a floor mop.
Even dragged across the floor like a mop, her tangled hair trailing behind like a discarded cleaning tool, Netzach remained listless and sullen, making no movement.
Even when kicked by Yesod, she didn't bother to turn over.
A normal person dragged like that would experience pain, even if their hair didn't hurt, their back and waist would ache. But Netzach, being an AI, lacked normal pain perception; being dragged like garbage didn't affect her.
This indicated excessive Enkephalin use.
The world around her didn't matter; she was like a puddle of mud, uncaring about being trampled.
She didn't react to being dragged, ignoring any scolding, her eyes glazed over.
When an AI exhibits such addict-like behavior, it means she's consumed enough Enkephalin to kill ten employees—a whole crate, enough to empty the Training Department's storage.
Good news: Safety Department employees didn't consume Enkephalin and are unaffected.
Bad news: The Safety Department Dean consumed all the Enkephalin and is now incapacitated, beyond recognition.
It's remarkable that Yesod managed to drag Netzach in. As the Information Department Dean, she could have ignored Netzach; even if left alone, nothing would happen. Netzach would eventually face punishment—
Yet Yesod still found Netzach and, despite her obvious displeasure, brought her to the meeting.
Perhaps it was due to X's request; she had asked Yesod to keep an eye on Netzach.
Regardless, X felt Yesod was responsible and kind-hearted, merely blunt and sarcastic, a bit tsundere.
Although she claimed she wouldn't bother with Netzach…she still dragged her from the corner.
"You've had a hard time, Yesod.
I'm sorry; I should have handled this…I'm the Manager; I should be responsible for the Deans."
X quickly apologized, taking responsibility for Netzach's condition, blaming herself for neglecting her.
But X's humble apology only made Yesod frown; she was displeased, dropping the honorifics and addressing X by her name.
"X, I hope I won't see this again…I mean, you're too lenient with Netzach. Your leniency caused this."
Yesod's expression was calm, but her words criticized X more than Netzach; she felt X was a negligent Manager.
It wasn't about professional negligence, but about failing to manage the Deans… Yesod believed X's kindness was misplaced and had created problems.
Like now, a large, unusable mass of green goo lay on the floor, muttering incoherently, its words thick with alcohol and hallucinogens.
No one knew what Netzach was experiencing or hallucinating, and X certainly didn't want to know.
"Hic…hehe…Manager…you're…so…neat…"
"Hehe…your…waist…is…as…slender…as…last…time…those…legs…are…amazing…"
"Come…come…closer…"
"Don't—let—go…I…hic…I…can't…"
Upon seeing X, the green mess clung to her leg like seaweed clinging to a rock.
The clinginess was like chewing gum stuck to X.
Worse, Netzach said this in front of all the Deans, in the meeting room, before everyone, including the AI Secretary.
She actually said it…
—What the hell is Netzach saying?!
—Shut up! Don't drag me down with you!
X, the victim, was mortified by the Safety Department Dean's words.
Her face burned, as if scalded by boiling water. She didn't know where to hide.
—What nonsense is Netzach spouting?!
Everyone's gaze focused on X, their expressions complex. Various gazes lingered on her waist and legs; X felt she was experiencing social death.
Her earlier fears about her Manager career ending were nothing compared to this.
X's waist was indeed slender and alluring, her legs long and attractive…possessing a unique charm that drew attention.
The Deans agreed with Netzach's words, except for X herself.
X was mortified, wanting to disappear.
Usually, she could handle embarrassment, but this was different…X wondered if she'd offended Netzach in a past life; why the resentment, the spiteful behavior?
"Netzach, stop that nonsense! Open your eyes; this is a meeting! Let go of me, or I'll throw you out!"
X attempted to salvage her image, to regain some authority, but it was useless.
Netzach was unfazed by X's threats, acting defiant.
"Hehe…Manager…you're so cute…be my girlfriend."
X was losing control; this was beyond her comprehension. She wondered if she was hallucinating.
She couldn't understand why Netzach would say such things.